This school has closed

Sanford-Brown Institute Reviews

  • 122 Reviews
  • Multiple Locations
  • Annual Tuition: $15,866
29% of 122 students said this degree improved their career prospects
26% of 122 students said they would recommend this school to others
Start Your Online College Search:

Programs with 5+ Reviews

Student & Graduate Reviews

CMA
  • Reviewed: 11/15/2019
  • Degree: Medical Office Administration
"I went to Sanford Brown in Trevose for medical assisting. I initially went for diagnostic sonography, but was told I had to complete the MA program first. This was due to my college credits not being medical. They stated when I finished I could go into the diagnostic sonography program and would be ahead of some of the students. This was a lie. The recruiters change faster than you can sneeze. They all spin a different lie. The director was called on the carpet for the lies by some of the new teachers who weren't down for the BS and she admitted to our class that this wasn't true. After getting a 3.99 GPA taking classes for 14 months on the weekend they then changed the criteria and no longer included night or weekend externship. Refused to find me one and would not accept the one I found on my own. The state made them return the money for the externship portion. There are a lot of people who will say you get out of it what you put into it. This is not the case with this school. I went back less than six months to get my partial refund check and found out 4 of my teachers left. Including the one person who was still working in the field in lab processing at a top hospital in Philly. I ended up finishing my certification at another school that found me an externship at Jefferson Hospital where I was hired and stayed for almost 10 years. Research your schools but don't choose this one."
Disgusted
  • Reviewed: 7/19/2016
  • Degree: Medical Assistant
"RUN...RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN...they say all the right things to get you in the doorsame with your money but you are on your own once you graduate. 70% of my class has not found work in the medical field because NOONE wants to hire from Sanford Brown"
Depressed and Disgusted
  • Reviewed: 1/17/2016
  • Degree: Ultrasound Technician
"I'm an army veteran and I thought my life would get back on track. I graduated in June thinking that my life would start over fresh. Instead, they took my money from my Post 9/11 GI Bill and ran. $33,000 is a lot of money. I should get my money back!!"
No training in medical office or EMR
  • Reviewed: 12/3/2015
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"Sanford Brown medical assisting program only covered a small amount of what it takes to be a medical assistant. One area in particular that it lacks is medical office , and specifically electronic medical record's training . I realize that each medical-practice uses a different EMR System , however some training would have been greatly helpful to me in my career . At this point I'm looking at furthering my education by going to a different school for medical office and administration. I don't feel that my experience at Sanford Brown with enou I don't feel that my experience at Sanford Brown gave me enough education to successfully fulfill all of the duties necessary to be a medical assistant . Teaching the basics does not cut it in today's world. Also my experience with career services has not been the best. My career service advisors only advice to me on helping me get a job was to visit each practice in my area and drop off my resume. I could have done that on my own without anyone's help. I wouldn't recommend the school I wouldn't recommend this school."
Sara
  • Reviewed: 11/5/2015
  • Degree: Fashion
"Since the school was purchased by Sanford Brown late in 2014 the level of care for the students has plummeted. When this was The International Academy of Design and Technology it was a great place to learn. The teachers CARED and as a student you knew they would look out for you. Since we changed names, this location is closing. Teachers are being fired daily, and there are only 50 of us left to graduate. That being said, the care that was once present is gone. The faculty could care less about any of the students, we all feel the negativity when coming to class. We are each a dollar sign, and it is sad knowing that. The faculty have become extremely superficial about who is recognized and who is not. The students who speak up about a grumpy teacher being very rude and unprofessional in class is overlooked, simply because of the position they are in. I am almost done with my degree, so I'm sucking it up and finishing. It is a crap degree, so I am looking into finishing my masters so that I have some legitimacy on my resume."
Career Services Suck!!!
  • Reviewed: 11/3/2015
  • Degree: Medical Assistant
"I live in Houston Tx, and attended Sanford Brown College (the only one here) I loved all of my clases, instructors, classmates and advisors. But the only thing that really sucks is Career Services! They suck, they are stupid and I really hope they read this.... They don't like to help students out to find a good job that would be beneficial for tjem and their family... They are full of crap saying that Medical Assistants doesn't work at hospitals."
Ruchi
  • Reviewed: 10/2/2015
  • Degree: Software Engineering
"It was a very great experience and helped me to learn more programming languages. The instructors were knowledgeable and cared about my learning. I did not come here for job as I already had one but it improved my knowledge a lot. I will recommend it to others. In fact few of my friends are also joined it for advancement."
Wasted my life
  • Reviewed: 7/13/2015
  • Degree: Dental Assistant
"Seriously I feel like I wasted my life away!!! I gave up a lot in my life to start my career as a DH and everything was gone by half a point!!!! half a point!!!!! They didn't want help any of us out that were on the edge. they gave us a take home quiz that took us 2days to finish and later find out that she just took it off our syllabus and didn't even grade it. the instructors pick favorites and talk down and behind your back all the time. they are are supposed to be there to motivate you and encourage you to make your dreams come true BUT yet they do the opposite. It was always like walking on egg shells with them. I regret everything about this program and I am HAPPY to hear they are closing down the school so they don't have to put other people in the situation I am in now."
Charlene
  • Reviewed: 6/13/2015
  • Degree: Ultrasound Technician
"Its a shame this school is closing. I attended from 2005-2006 in NYC. I got a job as an og/gyn sonographer 3 months after I graduated with the help of my clinical coordinator. I work in high risk ob/gyn. Every single one of my co workers graduated from this school. I'm making amazing money and am a senior technician now. I learned so much during my training there. I guess time as well as the staff has changed. Its unfortunate that so many people have experienced the negative. I wish you all the best."
Rachelle
  • Reviewed: 5/16/2015
  • Degree: Business
"Sanford Brown is a joke. When I first started there, I liked it because of the small classes and the ability for more one on one attention. However, most teachers were lazy and also didn't know what they were talking about. I spent over $30,000 for a degree that is practically worthless. My credits won't transfer and my degree in no way helped me get a job or be paid adequately for what I am doing. Stay away from Sanford Brown. Go to a community college or somewhere else. I absolutely do not recommend Sanford Brown. All you will be left with is tens of thousands of dollars of student loan debt and a worthless piece of paper."
Be Real
  • Reviewed: 4/29/2015
  • Degree: Veterinary Technician
"I started out at this school so excited and enthusiastic. I was also interested in other programs but I will further my education elsewhere. The instructors fraternize with students to the point where there is ongoing investigations. Certain students receive certain advantages for example, being marked present when they are not and they are still remain to graduate where others have been graded highly just because they are part of the group. The instructors do not assist with problem solving and only concerned with enrollment. Discrimination is another factor. The teachers are not bilingual and Spanish speaking students attend and have to drop out. So therefore the student still have this loan to pay. Why enroll students if, you do not have the resources for foreign students. This school need to be investigated thoroughly. They give you numerous books and still the education is appalling . The instructors give you majority homework rather to teach. Non students are technically hanging outside in the parking lot all day long, so you feel a bit unsafe. They had students living in the school at one point. The computers never work at so many times, to the point, we have to bring in our own devices. You cannot use the library to print anything. The librarian tells you to use the administration printer to print and there is always many times no ink in printers, nor paper. This school only has Drama and more Drama on a daily basis. Who wants to be an environment where it is more of a gossip and uninviting, where instructors do not care about the students and only a paycheck. They even complain to students on how many hours they work. People go to a real college where education is real education and not where is just numbers and enrollment and false advertising to get you in. They need to change staff from President to secretary. Even the secretary was found to do and print her own personal work on company's stationery by folders. Free for all. What an example, hence the reason for the high theft rate. If the employees are doing it so will the students. Ghetto School. Run People, Your money will be a waste. Oh! Your credits cannot be transferred to other institute, even though they are claiming Credited. Tried to transfer and no school is accepting their credits."
kendria walker
  • Reviewed: 2/24/2015
  • Degree: Medical Assistant
"DO NOT DO IT SAVE YOURSELF THIS SCHOOL ONLY GOT ME DEBT AND NO JOB I REGRET GOING TO THIS SCHOOL THEY DIDNT INVITE ME GRADUATION OR GIVE ME MY CERTIFICATION BECAUSE I DIDN'T PAY A SMALL BALANCE THE CAREER PLACEMENT DOES NOT HELP THE TEACHERS ARE CLUELESS ON THE STUFF THEY TEACH THEY JUST READ OUT THE BOOK"
Sanford Brown in NYC is a complete waste of time.
  • Reviewed: 2/15/2015
  • Degree: Medical Billing & Coding
"School was just a waste of time in so many ways. If I could do it again I would have just volunteer @ a particular site. Everyday was a unless art arguments with fellow student and disappointment from the teachers. Very few teachers had a complete understanding of what they were teaching and how to teach their subject. For external if you're placed at a good site that the only real learning you'll get. When it's time for job placement you're lucky if they find you anything over $12 p/h, so you're better off looking for yourself because they're not taking it as serious."
VB
  • Reviewed: 2/8/2015
  • Degree: Massage Therapy
"I attend SB Atlanta campus. The school literally let's anyone get it. There is no system in place for prerequisite testing. There is a huge problem with undereducated students. Huge racism issue. The school is over populated with African americans who are plain racist towards Caucasian students. I have been threghtened, bullied, and yelled at. These actions included teachers and students. I am doing my best to stear clear of everyone and am still a victim. I would not suggest this school."
Dawn
  • Reviewed: 1/1/2015
"The Ft Lauderdale campus is run by a foreign dentist's. Most of them do not speak English very well and do not care for anyone who is not one of their own, ie Hispanic. The programs director Dr. V likes to hire his own family members that he sponsors into the country. If you have no dental experience and you're a NOT Hispanic you will not survive this program. They will not help you and they do not care. It is designed for you to fail, repeatedly, that's how they make their bonuses every year. Instructors have their favorites and if your not one of them your left completely in the dark at all times. Its the "drinking from a fire house effect. If your not already established in dentistry you will flunk out, guaranteed. Theft is a common occurrence, don't leave anything around. We have often suspected it was the instructors doing the thieving because of locked doors and limited access to labs. Its almost impossible to steal a whole entire cassette of instruments in front of the whole clinic. But it happens weekly. Ms. B., Dr. V's cousin is never where she is supposed to be on the clinic floor, during clinic, instead she is constantly tattling on students in Dr. V's office. The points system was set up to be a way to flunk some students while helping others, the favorites. Ms B. signed me up for classes I did not need only to withdraw me from EVERYTHING two weeks later. As a result my VA was withdrawn and so was my funding. I was harassed for weeks every time I entered the school they would send for me during every class and ask about money. I was pulled out of class during a final and was not allowed to return until I paid them. I was threatened and manipulated, needless to say I failed the final and the class. The appeals process is handled by another loyal Hispanic from Columbia too. He is Ms. Beltran romantic interest, so you know how that goes. I was 15 weeks away from graduation when I was flunked out. My credits wont transfer, every other Dental Hygiene program in South Florida wont let me into their program unless I start from the beginning, all over again. That amounts to three years of my life and 65 thousand dollars wasted. One of Beltrans favorites thought it would be a hoot if they took diseased material from the ultrasonic cleaner and put it into my water bottle one day in clinic. My friend over heard them laughing about what they did, I went to the director and he did nothing. I now have to pay for very expensive HIV and hepatitis testing every six months. Do not put your life in harms way, steer clear of this school!"
Lynae
  • Reviewed: 11/11/2014
  • Degree: Medical Assistant
"I went to the Cleveland, Oh campus. From start to finish, there was always people to answer any questions, and make it an easy experience. Some people say they were lied to about credits transferring, or the job projection. I was told at the beginning that no credits would transfer, and that they could not guarantee any future jobs or salary. I was shown the Gov census, showing the growth of medical assistants throughout the country. All the teachers were knowledgeable, and had many years of real experience. The thing that really made this campus stand out was that the dean of education had an open door policy. If you had a problem, you could always talk to her, and she would either find a solution, or just listen if thats what you needed. After graduating, I called her to get copies of my transcripts, and she always answered the phone. Another campus (Houston, TX) I called never had anyone to answer the phones. So this made the Cleveland campus stand out. I think that no matter what school you go to, nothing is guaranteed. The economy is always changing, and wages and jobs depends on where you are looking. I think people need to be more open about that, and not hold other people accountable for something they dont have control over.Cleveland Ohio campus"
JustMe
  • Reviewed: 10/18/2014
  • Degree: Radiology Technician
"When I was first looking for schools to attend, this was one of my top ones I wanted to go to...But after reading all the reviews it made me second guess my decision. Yes it is expensive but what school isn't that you can get done in half the time! I love this school. My professors are amazing..hearing their real life experiences really puts everything in perspective for me. Everyday is something new and exciting. I haven't completely my course yet but I have never regretted my decision on picking this school. Go with your gut. There is always someone out there that didn't like it but maybe this school wasn't right for them, that doesn't mean the school is bad. It is advanced and hard work, but you can do it. I work part time and go to school. Just stick to it and you will be done and on your way to your dream career before you know it! It has changed my life"
Pm
  • Reviewed: 10/12/2014
  • Degree: Medical Assistant
"Please I am begging you do not go to this school!! I am embarrassed of even going here at all!! A waste of money and 9+ months of school for barely $12 an hour if you are lucky enough to find a job. If you are into medical things go to a community college and get your rn!!!! Do not waste your time and money for a place where heroine addicts and criminals go. Please. For your own sake do not waste your time. I'm so upset with myself for ever going here"
CV
  • Reviewed: 9/23/2014
"This program is accelerated but that was not the difficult part of this program, the only place where I really felt I learned something was in the dental clinic from excellent instructors with years of experience, the only problem is the lecture classes they are a joke basically your are not taught anything you teach yourself. 2 new instructors were brought in with no experience and one very young and did not have experience out in a private practice which that really doesnt help. I was very glad when i finished the program because there were many times that I wanted to quit or choke someone. If I had to do it again I would not chose this school because their hygiene program is really not organized yet maybe a few years down the line things will change."
MAD AS HELL
  • Reviewed: 8/23/2014
  • Degree: Medical Assistant
"DON'T GO TOO THIS SCHOOL PERIOD ANY CREDIT'S THAT YOU EARN AT THIS SCHOOL WON'T TRANSFER TO ANY OTHER SCHOOL AT ALL. I HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL SCHOOL TRYING TO GET MY CREDITS TO TRANSFER AND THEY WON'T. AFTER GRADUATING WITH HONORS AND SPENDING $12,675.00, AND MY STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT IS $376.00 A MONTH , AND ALL I GOT WAS A PRETTY PIECE OF PAPER THAT IS WORTH NOTHING. AND I MEAN "NOTHING PERIOD" AND GETTING A JOB DON'T FOOL YOURSELF. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD BE EARNING $13.00 TO $15.00 AN HOUR THAT IS NOT HAPPENING. YOU ARE LUCKY TO GET $9.00 AN HOUR. AND WHEN I WENT BACK TO THE SCHOOL TO TALK TO MY ADMISSION'S ADVISOR AS TO WHY I WAS LIED TOO. THERE IS ALL NEW PEOPLE THERE IN THE ADMISSION'S OFFICE AND NO ONE THAT IS THERE NOW KNOW'S NOTHING, AND ALL THEY CAN SAY IS NO ONE HERE WOULD HAVE SAID THAT, WHICH IS BULL CRAP!!! PLEASE DON'T BE FOOLED BY THIS SCHOOL THEY ARE A FOR PROFIT SCHOOL THEY WILL TAKE YOUR MONEY AND LEAVE YOU WITH A LARGE BILL TO PAY AND A PIECE A PAPER THAT AINT WORTH NOTHING...."